FOUR prisoners joined dozens of volunteers to brave The Ghost Tunnels of Portland and shift boulders, rubble and rubbish in time for a community event.

More than 50 sacks of rubble and rubbish were cleared from the three tunnels at the High Angle Battery, ahead of next Saturday’s spooky treasure hunt at the Wild about Hallowe’en festival.

Revive spokesman Yvonne Beven said: “We started clearing out the tunnels during the Island Clean Up but we needed to bring in some muscles to shift the big boulders.

“Four prisoners from the Verne came to help, along with some kids from Royal Manor and a lot of Weymouth Community Volunteers.

“The prisoners were absolutely amazing; they got stuck in straight away, no moaning.

“We were really impressed and we couldn’t have done it without them.

“All three tunnels are looking really nice and clean now.

“The amount of bags of rubbish was unbelievable – tonnes of rubble, litter, tyres, metal and a lot of fire debris and gas canisters.”

She added: “I’d like to thank the Revive volunteers, Wey-mouth Community Volunteers, Sue and Jon Illsley from Fancy’s Farm and Travis Perkins for donating dust masks and rubbish sacks.”

The volunteers and inmates were joined by around eight teenagers from Royal Manor Arts College and town councillor Rod Wild and together they shifted more than 50 bags of rubble and dozens of wheelbarrow loads.

Councillor Wild, of the Underhill ward, praised Yvonne Beven for being the driving force of ‘some very good work’.

He said: “It’s the borough council’s responsibility as owners of the site to look after it but they’ve let it get into a horrible state.

“It’s nice to see it restored for the community, there were a few unpleasant surprises but for every job that must be done there’s an element of fun.”

Weymouth Community Volunteer Ricky Johnson, aged 24, said: “It’s been hard work, very dusty and we were working in a confined space but everyone had a laugh so it was enjoyable too.

“I’m in rehab and hope to get back into work.

“This is the first time I’ve volunteered and I’d definitely recommend it, it’s a great way to meet new people and help people.”

Jim McGowen, governor of the Verne’s innovation and development team, said this was the first project the prison’s newly-formed community action team has completed in conjunction with the local community on Portland.

He said: “We are very pleased to assist local volunteer and community groups in Weymouth and Portland with specific projects that will benefit both the community and the men.

“This plays an important part of HMP The Verne’s commitment that offenders make reparations for the offences they have committed.”

Hallowe'en spook-tacular

THE Wild about Hallowe'en event will begin from 2.30pm on Saturday, October 29 at The Ghost Tunnels.

Free family fun will include a falconry display, owls, fun with bats, a treasure hunt, a junk music activity workshop and an open day at Fancys Farm.

At 5pm costume-clad revellers of all ages will be led down the incline by a large sea dragon to Osprey Leisure Centre, Castletown for the main events, which will include a spectacular fire show.

There will be live music and dancing, games, a street dance display by GWellC dance crew, a fancy dress competition with prizes for the best adult and child fancy dress, hot food and a licensed bar, culminating in a firework display from the water at 8.30pm provided by Ned Wiltshire and his crew from Quest.

The Revive Portland delivery group have teamed up with Wild about Weymouth and Portland and Synergy Housing to keep the community hallowe’en activities completely free.

For more information find Revive Portland on Facebook or follow